Europol announces over 1,000 arrests in a global operation against human trafficking

Europol supported an operation conducted in 59 countries against human trafficking, resulting in 1,024 arrests and the identification of 2,070 victims and potential victims. The operation GLOBAL CHAIN, carried out between June 8 and 12, 2026, targeted sexual exploitation, forced criminality, and forced begging, with special attention to minor victims.

Europol announced 1,024 arrests in a global operation against human trafficking, conducted in 59 countries and focused on sexual exploitation, forced criminality, and forced begging. The operation GLOBAL CHAIN took place between June 8 and 12, 2026, with the support of Europol, Frontex, and INTERPOL.

In brief

The operation GLOBAL CHAIN led to 1,024 arrests.

Authorities identified 2,070 victims and potential victims, of which 162 were minors.

334 of the arrested individuals are suspected of human trafficking.

465 new investigations were opened.

The operation involved over 40,000 officers from 59 countries.

The operation targeted networks that exploit vulnerable individuals through forced prostitution, forced labor, forced begging, and criminal activities imposed on victims. Europol shows that 64.2% of adult victims were trafficked for sexual exploitation, 20.9% for forced criminality, 11.3% for forced labor, and 1.5% for forced begging.

In the case of minors, the proportion of sexual exploitation is even higher. Europol indicates that 86.4% of identified minor victims were trafficked for sexual exploitation, while other cases involved forced labor, forced begging, or criminal activities such as pickpocketing. In many situations, protecting victims is difficult because exploitation can be perpetrated even by family members.

Victims and potential victims came from 45 countries, with the most reported from Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, Nepal, and Moldova. Europol emphasizes that many victims were trafficked across borders and even between continents, highlighting the global nature of these networks.

Over 40,000 officers were involved in the operation. Authorities checked 565,470 individuals, 360,317 identity documents, 140,737 vehicles, 20,342 locations, and 6,133 flights and ships. The actions involved police, border police, labor inspectors, tax authorities, and customs authorities.

For coordination, two operational centers were created. One operated in Skopje, North Macedonia, for countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa, while the second in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, through Ameripol, for operations in the Americas. Europol sent experts in combating human trafficking to both centers to connect information and coordinate actions against organized crime networks.

The operation produced significant results in Europe as well. In Belgium, a large-scale action in Charleroi and Verviers dismantled a network that recruited minor girls through social media and forced them into sexual services in Belgium and France. 17 arrests were made, and 22 minor victims were identified, 21 Belgian and one Polish.

In France, authorities uncovered a network of organized prostitution operating three massage parlors in Lille and Paris. Two individuals of Chinese nationality were arrested, five victims were protected, and authorities confiscated over 73,000 euros in cash, a vehicle, luxury items, and froze bank accounts.

In Ireland, an investigation conducted as part of the operation led to the seizure of over 840,000 euros in cash following a raid on a residence in Limerick. One person suspected of human trafficking for sexual exploitation was arrested.

In Moldova, authorities dismantled a sexual exploitation network led by a former gendarme and his fiancée. Three minor victims, aged between 16 and 17, were reportedly recruited from economically vulnerable backgrounds, coerced through manipulation, financial control, and threats, and then promoted online for prostitution.

In Ukraine, authorities handled cases of exploitation through labor. In the Vinnytsia region, two individuals were charged with exploiting 13 residents with disabilities from a rehabilitation center. In Kyiv, authorities dismantled a group of four suspects who allegedly recruited, transported, and exploited victims through deception, coercion, and abuse of their vulnerability.

The operation also had a digital component. Prior to the actions in June, Europol and INTERPOL supported an online hackathon held between May 19 and 20, 2026, with participation from 32 countries. This led to the identification of 252 potential victims, 80 suspected traffickers, and the launch of 19 new international investigations.

Europol shows that traffickers increasingly use the internet and online platforms for recruiting, promoting, controlling, exploiting, and monitoring victims. Networks may use fake job advertisements, social media, messaging applications, websites for sexual services, and mechanisms for financial or psychological control.

GLOBAL CHAIN was conducted under EMPACT, the European platform for combating serious and organized crime. Austria was the action leader, and Romania co-leader. The operation received support and funding from Frontex and EU4FAST, the EU project for strengthening the fight against migrant smuggling and human trafficking in the Western Balkans.

INTERPOL provided access to databases and international notifications, and participating countries requested 17 INTERPOL notifications and detected 20 hits. The FBI participated for the first time in this international effort, with expertise in victim identification and tracking illicit financial flows.

The operation shows that human trafficking does not stop at borders and cannot be combated solely through local controls. Networks move victims, money, documents, and suspects between countries, and investigations depend on the rapid exchange of information, operational coordination, and the ability of authorities to identify victims before exploitation continues.

https://2eu.brussels/ro/stiri/europol-anunta-peste-1000-de-arestari-intr-o-operatiune-globala-impotriva-traficului-de-persoane